Big Russ

We are so sad to say that our sweet lab, Rusty, passed away on Wednesday morning. We found out about a few weeks ago that he had liver disease and he quickly went downhill. We did not expect it to happen so fast, but are thankful that he did not have to suffer for long. We were able to hold him and be with him until the end. We are heart broken and feel like a huge part of our family is missing, but we have such wonderful memories of him. I gave him to Jason in college so he has been with us through many years and many things that we have been through. He will be missed dearly but remembered sweetly. We love you Russ Man!!

Labor Day Weekend

Our Labor Day weekend was so much fun, although we got off to a rough start! On Friday afternoon, we were outside playing with the kids and Jackson was pushing Ella in her big car. He accidentally pushed too fast and she went flying down the driveway and began spinning out and went over the ledge to the neighbors stone pathway and fell on her face and split her forehead open. We spent 6 long hours in the ER and walked away with 17 stitches, 5 internal and 12 external! Not a fun evening. She was a tough baby girl and was so tired by the time that we got the stitches that she fell asleep and slept through being stitched up! She got her stitches out on Wednesday and is healing great. We are so thankful that she was not seriously hurt and that the CT scan was negative. It could have been so much worse! After we moved past that, we had a great weekend. Dad came to visit and we went to the farm to see the Irons. We cooked out, played with the horses, sat by the fire and spent many hours talking and watching the kids play. It was a very relaxing weekend despite the drama of the ER!


Sitting by the fire


My sweet and very dirty babies :)





Jackson sittng on the fence watching Cookie


Heston in Grandpa's boots


Pop


Strike a pose Ella


I love this one - each boy in one of Grandpa's boots

Colorado 09

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First day of school

Well, school is back in full swing and Ella and I are joining in. I am teaching a 3 year old class and she is going for the first time. Jackson loves his new class and responded by yelling, "It was GREAT!" when I asked him how his first day was. He loves his new teachers and of course was thrilled to see all of his friends. Ella had a difficult first few days, she cried a lot and was only soothed by a certain baby doll...this makes me laugh...some of you know why :) She also has wonderful, loving and patient teachers that she also loves. I had a crazy but good first day, 3 year olds are busy bodies, but so precious and so much fun! I love them all and am looking forward to seeing them learn. Here are a few pictures from the first day. My babies are getting so big!!